Carton contents tamping and sealing apparatus



Feb. 23, 1954 H. o. IRMSCHER CARTON CONTENTS TAMPING AND SEALING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 26. 1950 HAN S O. IRMSCHER BY ATTOF-ZNEY H. O. IRMSCHER CARTON CONTENTS TAMPING AND SEALING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 26, 1950 Feb. 23, 1954 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

HANS O. IRMSCHEE ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1954 H. o. IRMSCHER CARTON CONTENTS TAMPING AND SEALING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 26, 1950 S Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

HANS O. l RMSCHER f A TTOIZNEY Feb. 23, 1954 H. 0. rRMscHER 2,669,813

CARTON CONTENTS TAMPING AND SEALING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 26, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. HANS O. l RMSCHER.

ifwsd A TTOIZNEY Patented Feb. 23, 1954 STATES PATENT OFFICE.

cim'roii GONTENTS TAMPING AND SEALING APPARATUS Hanshlimsohfer, East Hempstead, N. Y., as-

signor to National .Tea}. Packing Company,- Incl, a corporation of New York Application Janiiary 26, 1950','senar1-io'. masts 1'5 Glaiins.

This invention relates to. containers. or carton packagingof articles in assembly-line. fashion. More: particularly the: invention is directed? to an apparatus of. improved construction for tamping dfiwfi' lih'i' contentsuof aasiiccessiver series of filled containersor cartons through an; open' end of each, an-d thenfol'd-ing andysealing-saidend iwhile advanoin'gon' BJuCO IiVByih'g'. system for. betting and shippingas sealed packages, and. an improvedmethod-of such packaging:

Among the obi'ec'tsof thecinven tionis to genorally improve; packaging. apparatus and method of the? character described Wlii'ch apparatus shall comprise few and simple" partsi that arereadily assiembledtm provide a compact construction, whichushall form. a station in an assembly-line packaging 1 systemfor automatic operation and method to successively tamp and th'en fold and" seal end flap closure while thezpackagei ad; vanc'es toward. a boxing. andyfshipping station; which shall be" reliable: in: operation, which can be readily incorporateddn presently operating and newly constructed assembly li'ne anticlepackaging; systems and .whichashal-l be. practical and efficientto'a degree-muse;

, The application is a continuationin part of my copendingj application Se1xxNoa- 132,448, filed" De-- cembe'r 11114349,

. Othe'robjects of this invention will iii-part be obviousand in part hereinafter: pointed; out,

The invention accordingly consists. in steps of" the"methoduofmamifacture and features" 01536011- struction, combination? of elements, and arrange ment ,ofmachine parts: which will beexemplified the method and: construction hereinafter described and" of WhiChxthGSCOIl'JG of application will beindicated' in the following claims;

. Fig. lis side elevational" view showing. a filled container. contents tamp-in'g anduen'd sealing apparatus installed to' embody the invention in assembly-line: fashion in portion of conveyor system.

A Fig. .21 is a plan View or thgapparatus and. portlon"- of the conveyor system shown in' Fig. 1.

i Skis an end: vi-ew of the apparatus shown in Figsi. 1 and 2; as' seen'froin 1in'e's'33 in Fig. 1.

Figs} 4* and-Bare enlarged fragmentary side: elevational' amil plan views respectively of the container contents tamping means as shown in Fig. 1.

Figs; .6 and 'Z areenlarged cross-sectional, views taken on: lines fi ii infill-g land linesl;! in li igu 6,1 respectively showing, details of. the. tamw ifisameans construction and" operation,

at crass-sectional view taken on. line ing. the sealed package partly. broken away after being acted onu by the: tampi'n and before final folding and; sealing" operation of the end flaps thereof.

Fig. 10 is a crossrseotional view. taken; on lines lt=-ldjin Fig. 5-, showing the" tainping device in effective position to-press down the contents prior the fold and: sealing, part-ofthodontainar being broken away to expose-the i'ntetior.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view. taken onlines li l I in Fig; 5 showing details oftthe-end closure flaps: of.thepackage.ipositionediior the closure: operation after. contents have beentampedi down.

. Fig. 1'2 15 aztop plane view of the filled carton showing atstepinmtheoperation ot thefolding 811- paratus taken. from an effective position during the folding operation, just after the step correspondingto'tha-t shown at lines l 2-'-l-2 ,in; Fig-11v Fig. 12a is a view similarvsto Fig., 12'showingthe partially folded. closure after adhesive has been provided: i l

, Fig. 13 is: autopplanview of thepackage and apparatusparts during the folding operation of the step showni-in' Eig. ,lZprior. to applying adhesive and sealing of theclosure flap, and,

Fig. 14 is; a. perspective view'showing the fine ished package Withthe permanent seal end at the top-and tucked in flap-endat-the bottom and in the relative position. a it passes from the camping andtfol'ding and sealing machine to be delivered for boxingandshipment;

Refetr3ng'..n0w to the drawing, 2!} denotes an apparatus constructed. to: embody the invention for tamping down, filling contents of a successive series oilin'edcontainers or cartons, C through an, openend- E of each and then folding and sealsaid end while advancin on a conveying system, as for example, as shown, described and referred to in my saidcopencli-ng application Ser; No.,1i32-, l l6 in assembly line-fashiontobox and shines-seal cantons-Gt. i

As shownin Figs. 1 ,;-.2,= 4,;5 series ofwset up cartonsgG each having a lining N ofsheet ma;- te ia-l' therein, said. carton C being ioi'medwith atnched in end bottom;positionediolostire F ope I posite saidopenitoppositioned and E, and having a. filled, contents, here. shownes. a predeterminednu-mber oi? manufac ured articles, such, as tea balls, B,.which1am piled nlsu'peiiimposedi relation within: saidilinedi open ended, car-tony .'I-'he:.lat-. t'e'r bewadvarioetl thr'ough carton receivin end 2 is of a suitable horizontally extending belt conveyor 2! of said apparatus Zll, from a carton article filling station, (not shown) in the well understood manner as for example as fully disclosed and referred to in my said copending application. Mounted to upstand over said belt conveyor 2|, at a spaced distance therealong from receivins end 2| a, a suitable contents tamping mechanism 22 is provided which may include a vertically disposed plunger rod 22a mounted to reciprocate in spaced apart bearing 222; carried by offset bracket 22c secured to a rigid horizontal surface of extension 2% of frame 26a of apparatus 23.

Lower end of said rod 22a terminates in a plunger block 22d which may be shaped to correspond and loosely fit for sliding movement into a filled lining carton C aligned thereunder on conveyor 2|, movement of said plunger block 22d, being from a raised clearance position over said carton C, shown in dot and dash lines as seen in Fig. 10, to that of a full line position thereof for tamping the stack of teaballs B in the lined carton C.

Reciprocating movement for said rod 22a may be provided through a double-ended lever 22c pivoted at 22 on bracket 220 having one end 22g of said lever 22c connecting with a suitable link 22h and clamp block 227' secured to said rod 22a between spaced bearings 22b as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. End 2| k of double lever 22c opposite end 22g connects through adjustable ended thrust bar 22m, with offset bell crank 221i pivoted at 22$ to a down extended bracket portion 22w, reach rod 22a, and swing arm 221', the latter carrying a roller 225' which rides in grooved disc plate cam 221 Bracket member 2210 on which arm 221 may be pivoted has an angular extension 221;, said bracket member 22p being secured to a frame cross member 200 of the apparatus frame by bolts 20b. Said bracket member extension 22a carries a bearing 222 for cross shaft 23a as is clear from Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Cooperating with tamping operation of mechanism 22 fo intermittently retaining filled cartons against movement with conveyor belt 2| when aligned under said plunger block 22d, and for externally supporting said carton C during said tampin operation, particularly when the plunger block 22d extends into and is retracted from the interior of the carton C, there may be provided an interposing barrier 2|t and a releasably slideable gateway 24 having a horizontally disposed base bar 240, which extends across conveyor belt 2| under the upper or carrier horizontal extending side 2 |b thereof. Said base bar 24a reciprocates in a sleeve bearing 24b secured and supported from said down extending bracket portion 22w, as is clea from Figs. 5, 6 and 10, and has at one end thereof upstanding stanchions 24d spaced apart on opposite sides of the conveyor belt 2|b. Said stanchions 24d, each supports a push plate member 24c which may be adjustably mounted on said stanchions 24d to accommodate cartons of various cross sectional dimensions. For reciprocating said bar 2411 with push plate members 246, the other end of base bar 24a may be provided to have extending vertically down therefrom, a pivotal lug 24f which has swingably connected therewith a nut end of a distance adjusting screw 24g, the other nut end of the latter pivotally connecting with an upwardly extendin arm 24h of a rock lever 240. A downwardly extending arm 24? of said rock lever 24c which may be pivoted at 241: on said bracket portion 22w may connect with reach rod 2% which connects with swing arm 24m that carries a roller 2411., the latter riding in a groove of disc cam plate 24p, the latter being mounted to turn with cross shaft 23a alongside disc plate cam 22t as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

As seen from Figs. 1, 2 and 4, conveyor 2| may be constructed with supporting side rails 2|c which extend horizontally on opposite sides therealong just below the level of carrier belt portion 2|a, said rails 2|c being firmly secured at the required elevation by suitable outer upright end struts 2|d spaced from the frame 20a, and at said frame 20a. Spaced apart to upstand along each of said rails 2|c from the conveyor receiving end 2|a to the tamping mechanism 22 are oifsetted posts 2 le, which may support parallelly aligned space adjustable guide fence 2|f for side directing the filled cartons C along with conveyor belt carrier portion 21a. Just short of said gateway 24, fence 2|f terminates, and as seen from Figs. 2 and 4, on the upper or far side of conveyor 2|, an adjustable fence section 2 lg on offsetting posts 2 Ih may be provided, while on the lower or near side, a companion deflecting plate section fence 2 la is adjustably mounted.

To improve the tamping operation, there may be provided between base bar 24a but clear thereof and the upper horizontally extending conveyor belt 2|b a suitable stationary support 2|y over which said conveyor belt 2 |b rides and which is rigidly secured so as to take the impact of the plunger block 22b on the tea bags B in each carton C, as is clear from Figs. 3 and 6.

Said fence section 2|g and companion defleeting fence plate 2| are relatively short and extend closely to a carton transfer which communicate with carton top end B folding, and sealing mechanism 25 for completing the closures of cartons C to form finished packages in form of cartons C4 ready for boxing and shipment in the manner hereinafter described.

As seen from Figs. 4 and 5, conveyor 2| extends from the receiving end 2la thereof at tail pulley 2| s thereof to just beyond mechanism 25 at head pulley 2|w of said conveyor 2|. Both pulleys 2 Is and 2 I10 may be supported in suitable bearings Zlu from side rails 2|c, the under or lower portions 2| r of the conveyor belt 2| being supported to ride on suitable idler pulleys 2|v and against a belt slack take-up pulley 2|."c, said pulleys 2|v and 2|:x: also being supported from side rails 2 lo as shown in Fig. 4.

Each filled carton C as it is advanced to tamping mechanism 22 is first brought to full stop over said base bar 24a. by said interposing barrier 2 H? which is mounted on fence section 2 la in the direct path of the advancing cartons C on conveyor belt 2|b, and after the tamping operation is completed and plunger block 22d fully raised free from the carton open end E, gateway 24 slidingly displaces the carton C aligned therewith and against barrier 2 it to move transversely said advancing path against said deflecting plate section fence 217', that is, free from barrier 2|t, thereby permitting the tamped carton C to be gradually returned to the path of the belt conveyor 2| for continuing the advance movement of carton C on reaching said mechanism 25' as is clear from Fig. 5.

As'seen from Figs. 2, 5 and 11, each'tamped filled carton C at mechanism 25 enters a transfer cross slideway passage 25a located at the head end of conveyor 2|, in which passage 25a, a push late 252) reciprocates transversely of the path of movement of tamped: filled carton @C; said; push plate 25h being mounted to" move oneuend, of horizontally extending thrusterodi 25 ct may bewsupp'orted' for reciprocation. in a sleeve: heating 25d; the latter being firmly secured. by bolted depending. bracket: 2513 on a cross' iframe anglesbar Zll'd; Theaother'end of thrust rod 2:50 may through connection. fitting 2:5 t and a length adjusting: screw ilfi ficonnectwith one elrmuzfid of a bell; the other arm: 2571 being? rocked through: movement of: a reacherodwrfiij connecting; )lilhllOCklGVEbl 257e which carries a roller 25m riding-J in a: groove of a "disc plate cami 2 5% as shownsir; Fig. 2,; the disc plate cam 2512 being: mounted to) tum: with horizontal. cross; tnan'sm'is:- sion: shaft which" may through. meshing bevel gearing. 25:1. be driven from; vertioalfcounter shaft. 25r33as shown; in Fig. 1.

lilachitam oed filledroarton C afterbeing trans ferred by movement of push plate are along" slide Way pas-sage are. laterally with respect: to the advancing path thereof is projected to align unider top end folder 215" which as seen in Fig; 11 may include a of vertically mounted: coach lever members spaced apart so that down.- wardly extending portions 26!; thereof; Whiehi carry Wipers 26hr, engage: and fold: oppositely po sitioned: large flaps of. cartonropen and E to" 1exteinol" outwardly at: substantially horizontal eve Said: lever members may be pivoted; at. midporti'ons Elie; thereof: on slide shoes which ride int spaced apartlvertically clisposedaparallelly alignedtracleways 2 tel Upwardly extending: end:

25%;" of said. lever member opposite said? portions:

2:62: may be slotted as at? 26g Wherethrough pinl 26-h of; rollers 267T" pass; the latter riding in cam slots 26k which extend alongside trackwaysi 26c.

Shoes: 26d carryingsaid lever m'emherrecipro cater vertically in unison over: carton C so: that Wipers: 2 621 ona descent movement of: said" lever memloer'i'sifirsti inserte all into the oarto'n' open end while: the flaps; are stilltupstanding. as shown". d'otland dash linesin: Fig. 11,v after'which up*- per: corner: end H of mung N are folded d'own and; creased?simultaneously with the outfolding oft-flaps; Ci by down and outward movement of said: lever member- Wiper 26h.

As seen from Figs. 1 and 11, reciprocation ofi the slideshoes: 26dwith1said lever memberssmay lye-accomplished; by an interconnected suitable: linkage; such" as. double link 26m; rock lever: 26m reacherod: 255p and bell: crank-i611 whicl'r carries a roller 2 or riding in: a groove: of at disc. cam plate 258, the latter being mounted to turn with cam:

shaft 251):

While: flaps: G are: outfoldedy. as described above and shownin Fig; 12; cooperatingsspa'ced finger pieces 261p, which: are positioned to align. withvertically extending smaller cross flaps: ID at carton top end: E, are; rotated with spindles-26v from! the: unfolded positionshownin Fig. 1-1 to th'BrdOWlT folded: position showniin' Fig. 13a

Eonrotating spindles 2511 in: proper timed re- 1atiorr another linkage; indicated generally 26hr; similaritos-thattdescrihed; above? for" actuating said lever members: which: fold flaps maybe prorvided", said last mentioned. linkage 26o: interconnectingtwith disc'cam-plate:2fia'iszmountedalong;

side: disc cam plate 2619 to turn with" Cami-shaft 25p, as'is; clear. from Figs. 1 and '2;

After said folding-operations. oi said flaps D and G, spindles" 26o; tlie t'op end folded carton- C; is -moved-to advan'oe by o'neof serlesof spa'ced apart vertically positioned fiighti plates 211 a or a horizontally: disposed endless ichain conveyor" 21:

As seen from Figs. 2, 3', Wand ll, gateway 24 serves transfer intercommunicating.means between theadvancing path: of movement 'otf carton"v C on conveyor 21% with the'pa-th of movement thereof by endless chain conveyor 21.. Flight plates 21a, carried by chain links2I-b of conveyor 21, are so spaced apart for movement in" timedw relation to advance each carton-9C just after the above fol-ding or flaps D andG has been completed. by folder. 26.

Chain links ill-o of endless-conveyor 2 passaround tail sprocket Wheel-21c and head sprocket Wheel 27d; spaced; therefrom, the" latter receiving power to drive conveyor 2! from gearing 2511 and shaft 25v,saidsprooketWheels it'z'c and Z'Id-b'eing suitably mounted from the apparatus frame- 20min their respective shaft bearings 2 1T.

As seen inFigs. Sand 11-, each carton C after having the flaps D F down folded by the top end folder 2'6 asdescribed above to theform shown. in Fig. 12 ispushed by flight plate 21m to advance along a path in adirection of the length of the side 21a of endless conveyor 21' in alignment with the position oi the carton C dur ing said fiap vfold-ing operation by topenclfolder 26.

Said flaps D and G after being folded'asvshown in Fig. 12, the carton is advanced by conveyor 2! and. immediately passes directly under horizonstally positioned flat plate 21f whichserves; to retain said flaps D infoldedland-fiapsfi out-foldedto guide the latter to enter a suitable adhesive applyingimeans 28; such'for exampleas gluerolls zdw which receive liquid glue on the peripheralsur face thereof from fount;28b-.- Said rolls 28d lee-- ing conditioned for applying the proper amount of adhesive by doctor rollers 2-86 riding on said rolls 28a,-andshown in Fi e 1, 2and 5;

Rolls 28a may be rotated with said shaft 28c, and are spaced apart to apply adhesive coating A from an. under portion thereof on upturned lining folds N and outfolded: flaps- G as shown in Fig. 12a', beingprovided ta pressure supporting means 286 carried byadjacent portion of the frame. zflawhich extendsunder rolls-28a out-Which the underside of saidfiaps G-rides when applying said adhesive coating A; as shown in-Fig. 1.

As seen in- Fig. 1, said shaft 29c which has mounted to turn therewith bothtadhesive applying rolls 28a and sprocket wheel 29b also has driven. sprocket Wheel 2Q) for. an interconnectingdrive chain 29g,. said shaft 29c receiving power from main shaft 29h through-meshing gears 2-351. a suitable clutchlfik hand wheel 29m; andmotor belt drive 2911 beingprovidedforapparatus 20 at the far or front side as'seen in Fig. 2.

Interconnectingdrive chain zfig Whichis turned by said sprocket wheel 29? on shaft 290 passes over sprocketidler Ztlpand sprocketv 23d which as seenfrom Figse1and2 turns-said shaft 23c and through said bevel gearing- 23b' drives cross shaft 23a for. operating in timed relation tamping mechanism 22 and transferring of the carton C in gateway 2 3 through disc cam plates 22?? and: 24p, respectively, mounted to turn with shaft 233a as heretofore described. Said drive chain 29g alsopassesover another sprocket idler 29a spaced from saidsidler 29pand' under drive sprocket 281' which turns cam shaft 25p on which disc camplates 26g; 2'58 an'di25n which refold flaps Dand into finall sealed-:closurerposition: Iiiea'd pulley zlzuror conveyonrz l-i m'ay be driven: through a: suitalil'e universal jointed shaft 2w;

meshing gear Mac and a sprocket 2lz which meshes with an intermediate chain drive 29 having a slack take-up idler sprocket 29a all mounted from frame 20a, chain drive 29 in turn being driven through sprocket wheel 2% mounted to turn with cross shaft 290, as is clear from Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Carton C with the flaps D infolded and outfolded flaps G adhesive coated are continuously advanced along by conveyor 2? to pass through suitable flap closure means 30 of any well understood construction, such as deflector blades 30a and 302) which refold flaps G first one and then the other in superimposed layers with adhesive coating H to make an adhesively sealed end closure K, for completed carton C l as shown in Fig. 14. Pressure rollers 300 over the remaining path of travel of carton C4 along conveyor 21 may be provided, said carton 04 being discharged from apparatus 20, if desired by a continuing belt conveyor B4 having a top belt portion B5 thereof cooperating with pressure rollers 390 between which carton C4 rides for delivery for boxing and shipping in any well understood manner.

From the construction and assembly of apparatus 2t as described above and shown in the drawings the operation thereof and the utility of the invention will be readily understood, particu larly the feature of the improved contents tamping mechanism 22 arranged to operate in timed relation with the operation of conveyor 2! and the subsequent folding and sealing of top open ends E of lined filled cartons C.

Thus as seen from Figs. 2, 5 and 8, said cartons C are supplied from receiving conveyor end 2la in assembly-line fashion, as for example, in the manner shown and described in my said copending application, and are brought into a first abutment row or series by the movement of conveyor belt 2lb on which said series abutting cartons C ride. As the leading carton C of said first series reaches in underneath alignment with the plunger block 22d, as shown in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 6 in dot and dash lines, said carton C is held against advancing movement with conveyor belt 2 lb by stop barrier 2lt. The various operational steps of apparatus are so timed by the interconnected power drives and cams above described to cause plunger block 22d to descend from its fully raised position and is in registered alignment so as to permit entry into said carton C for tamping the contents thereof, that is, to compress the superimposed tea balls B so that the latter will not interfere with the subsequent folding and sealing operations to provide said closure K. The full descent of plunger block 22d into carton C with the latter immobilized is shown in Fig. 10, the withdrawal of said plunger block 2241 leaving said contents well below the level of final closure K as is clear from Fig. 9.

As seen from Fig. 3 actuation of plunger block 22d with rod 22a takes place through an interconnecting linkage described above of lever 22c, thrust bar 22m, crank 2211, reach rod 221;, swing arm 221', and disc cam plate 22t which rotates with shaft 23a as described above.

It has been found that over per minute tamping operations can be carried out with the improved apparatus 28 thereby afiording an emcient and overall relatively high capacity output for apparatus 20.

When the plunger block 22d returns to its fully raised position clear of the carton C, plate members 24c in gateway 24 slide the carton C transverse the direction of travel of belt portion 2lb, so that, the carton C by-passes stop barrier 2 I t and as is clear from Figs. 6 and 7. Said plate members 24s with stanchion 24d are reciprocated through said bar 2411 and an interconnecting linkage formed by adjusting the screw 24g, rock lever 24c, reach rod 24k, swing arm 24m, and disc cam plate 24p which, as described above, rotates with shaft 23a, and is clear from Fig. 1.

As carton C is moved into said by-passing, that is, in offset relation with respect to the path of travel of belt portion 2 lb, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and past the stop barrier 2lt, the advanced movement of said belt portion 2 lb carries carton C against fence plate 2lgi for deflecting same as it advances fully back into the path of travel of belt portion 2 lb until it reaches the slideway passage 25a of the sealing mechanism 25. Here the push plate 25b, as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, moves the carton C transversely along slideway passage 25a until carton C is positioned in alignment under end folder 26 as shown in Figs. 3 and 11.

Push plate 2% is actuated with the sliding movement of thrust bar 250 and interconnecting linkage provided by adjusting screw 25f, belt crank arms 25g and 25h, reach rod 257,. rock lever 25k, and disc cam plate 25m mounted to rotate with shaft 25p as seen from Fig. 2. Carton C as it comes to rest under end folder 26, has the flaps G and D outfolded and infolded, respectively, and as has been described above and as shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, has adhesive A applied thereto by glue rollers 23a. Finally, flaps G are alternately folded over in superimposed relation to form sealed closure K delivered for boxing and shipping on conveyor B l as shown in Fig. l, the carton C being conveyed in proper timed relation by flight 27a of chain conveyor 21.

All the individual operational steps of apparatus 29 are carried out consecutively on each carton C but concomitantly on a successive series thereof as has already been described, driving power being supplied through transmission shaft 29h, meshed gears 291', shaft 290 and chain drives 29 and 29g. The conveyor 2i is driven through universal jointed shaft Zlv, as shown in Fig. 3, and the end folder 2G, adhesive applying means 28 and drive shafts 23a and 25p driven in the manner already described and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

With a supply of cartons C directed to conveyor 2l, by turning of the hand wheel 29m, through clutch 29k, power from motor belt drive 2912 can selectively be either connected or disconnected as required for the practical operation of apparatus 20.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an improved apparatus and method in which the several objects of the invention are achieved and. which are well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments of the invention may be made in the above invention and as various changes may be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth and shown in the accompanying drawing are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a method of forming sealed end closures on open-ended cartons filled with articles, the steps of continuously advancing a series of said filled cartons with the open ends up along a path in a first direction, stopping said advancement of each; carton against:asingle-fixedbarrier projecting: in. said path for bringing: saidv series into direct abutmentirelation. of all filledccartons,

tamping the carton contents while 1 each :carton is in: a relatively stationary position-against said barrieryin said path during one time interval'. moving rqeachtamped carton of 1 said-series el -distance; outtof said..path transversely of said first. direction, by-passing the. projecting-fixed barrer and: returning of each tamped 1 carton to Y continue advancement. in isaid' path, transferring each tamped carton transversely saidfirst direca tion to'anotherpath in a second directionguand concurrently-with said. .tamping'step, folding and adhesively sealing flaps at each. of. said carton open ends of a. preceding carton to. provide a completely closed-carton in' form for. boxing and shipping...

2. Ina-a. method Lof forming, sealed endrclosures onnpenended cartons. filled with article. contents,

17118:" steps of continuously advancing a series of said .filled cartons with .thewopen ends up. alonga pathiin a first direction. stopping said: advancement-10f each cartonaagainstafixed-barrier projecting. in said, path for bringing saidiserieszinto i directcabutment relation. of all, filled cartons,

tamping .thecarton contents; while each leading carton OfLSald. abutting seriesisrelatively stationaryinsaidstoppedzadvancement, and then movmg the tamped '.carton..out. of said :path transverselyofsaid first direction to by-pass saidfixed barrier and to continuertheadvancing, movementthereof in a tdi'rectionlfor. returning the tamped carton to said path.

3: In a method" of forming sealed end-closures on open ended cartons -filledxwith article contentathesteps of continuously advancing a series of ,saidifilled, cartons from direct abutment relation, positions. of all filledcartons with the open endsupalong a path in a first .direction, tamping thecontents of'each leading carton vofsaid abutting series while retaining same relatively stationary against saidadvancement while all ofisaidgcartons continue in abutment, and then moving the tamped" carton out of said path transversely of said first direction to free the same from said retention to continue the advancing movement thereof in said first direction in said path.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 in which the step of transferring each tamped carton takes place concurrently with said moving of a following carton in by-passing said fixed projecting barrier.

5. An apparatus of the character described comprising an elongated conveyor means for advancing a series of open-ended cartons filled with article contents along a path in one direction, a relatively fixed barrier positioned to project into said path against which a leading carton abuts for stopping said series advancement thereof, means for tamping down the content of each leading carton during said stoppage while relatively stationary against said fixed barrier, and a reciprocating gateway for sliding each tamped carton out of said path transversely of said direction beyond and free of the fixed barrier to continue in the direction of advancing movement and to return the sliding tamped carton to said path.

6. An apparatus of the character described comprising an elongated conveyor means for advancing a series of open ended cartons filled with article contents along a path in one direction, tamping means positioned in the path of 10; movcmenttof said cartonion theiconveyor means: a; fixed" barrier projecting; into said path :located forwardly withirespectto said tampingmeansto interrupt the advancing movement for retaining aleadingzcarton inralignment-iwith said tamping means and .said; series in abutment, and means with articlexcontents along a path in oneqdirec tionran endless. elongated conveyor having a transfer passageway;;a.-puslr plate reciprocably mounted on said; passagewaymfor slidingly moving cartons from said conveyor means to the-endlessconveyor; :tamping ,meansapositioned in. the path of movement ofsaid: carton. on theconveyor means,.,a. fixedbarrier projecting into said path located forwardly with respect.- to said. camping; means 130.,ilf1i181l1113122lih8; advancing movement: for.- retainingaxleading;carton'in. alignment with saidtamping means and said seriesin abutment, means for. deflecting, saidw tamped cartons. after each retention thereof .to .detoursaid barrier and means-,to' intermittently actuate said deflector means .in predetermined relation with respect to.

the reciprocationiof said push platetransfer.

8v Anapparatus .asrdefined. in claim 5-. in which saidconveyor'means includes a transfer passageway along a head portion thereof,. a pusher reciprocably mountedin said passageway for slid,

ing-each tampedcarton from saidiconveyor tea. 1 carton end. closure sealing mechanism, and. cam.

controlled linkage for. actuating said. tamping means; gateway. and. pusher in predetermined.

timed. relation...

9. An apparatus asldefinedin claim d which includes: a. powerldrive. for: said conveyor means.

andfor. actuatingsaid tamping and deflecting, means in predetermined timedrelation,

10. In an apparatus offthe character described a horizontally disposed belt conveyor for advancinga series of" open-ended cartons filled with articlecontents along a path in one direction having a fixed barrier projecting into said path against which a leading carton abuts for a stopping period, a tamping block mounted for vertical reciprocation over said conveyor in registered alignment with said leading carton during said stopping period, a horizontally disposed gateway communicating with said conveyor adjacent said barrier for sliding each carton out of said path transversely of said direction beyond and free of said barrier after completing the tamping of said article contents by the block, and a deflecting fence plate extending alongside said conveyor opposite said barrier and gateway for returning each carton after said sliding to said advancing direction of said conveyor.

11. In an apparatus as defined in claim 10 which includes a plunger rod on an end of which said block is carried, and cam power-drive control means connecting with said gateway and with plunger rod and block in timed operational relation.

12. In an apparatus as defined in claim 10, which includes a horizontally disposed slideway passage communicating with said conveyor spaced in an advanced position with respect to said tamping block and gateway, a bar terminated by a push plate reciprocatingly mounted in said slideway passage for transferring each tamped carton from said belt conveyor to a top 11 end closure sealing mechanism, and cam control means connecting with each of said tamping block, gateway and bar for operation in timed relation.

13. In an apparatus as defined in claim 10 which includes a plunger rod on an end of which said block is carried, a horizontally disposed slideway passage communicating with said conveyor spaced in an advanced position with respect to said tamping block and gateway, a bar terminated by a push plate reciprocatingly mounted in slideway passage for transferring each tamped carton from said belt conveyor to a top end sealing mechanism, and cam control power-drive means connecting with each of said plunger rod, gateway and bar for operation in timed relation.

14. In an apparatus of the character described a horizontally disposed belt conveyor for advancing a series of open-ended cartons filled with article contents along a path in one direction having a fixed barrier projecting into said path against which a leading carton abuts for a stopping period, a tamping block mounted for vertical reciprocation over said conveyor in registered alignment with said leading carton during said stopping period, a horizontally disposed gateway communicating with said conveyor adjacent said barrier, reciprocating means for sliding said gateway with each carton out of said path transversely of said direction beyond and free of said barrier, cam power-drive means for actuating said block and gate reciprocating means in timed relation for completing the tamping of said article contents by the block before said gate reciprocating means becomes efiective to slide said gateway and carton transversely free of said barrier, and a fixed deflecting fence plate extending alongside said conveyor opposite said barrier and gateway for guiding each carton after said transverse sliding to return to said advancing direction of said conveyor.

15. An apparatus of the character described comprising a horizontally disposed belt conveyor for advancing a series of open-ended cartons filled with article contents along a path in one direction having a fixed barrier projecting into said path against which a leading carton abuts for a stopping period, a plunger rod mounted for vertical reciprocation over said conveyor, a tamping block terminating said rod positioned in registered alignment with said leading carton during said stopping period, a horizontally disposed gateway comrnunicating with said conveyor adjacent said barrier, reciprocating means for sliding said gateway with each carton out of said path transversely of said direction beyond and free of said barrier, cam power-drive means for actuating said rod and gate reciprocating means in timed relation for completing the tamping of said article contents by the block before said gate reciprocating means becomes effective to slide said gateway and carton transversely free of said barrier, a fixed deflecting fence plate extending alongside said conveyor opposite said barrier and gateway for guiding each carton after said transverse sliding to return to said advancing direction of said conveyor, a horizontally extending transfer passageway communicating with a head portion or" said conveyor at a spaced distance from said barrier, a pusher reciprocably mounted in said passageway for sliding each tamped carton returned by said deflecting fence plate from said conveyor head portion to a carton end closure sealing mechanism, and cam power-drive means for actuating said pusher in timed relation with said first mentioned cam power-drive means.

HANS O. IRMSCHER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

